Nationwide pre-buy program launched

Savvy Aircraft Maintenance Management has launched a nationwide service that offers pre-buy inspections of used aircraft for sale.

For a fixed fee, Savvy provides professional management through all stages of an aircraft pre-buy, according to company officials.

The service includes logbook review, selection of a qualified and impartial maintenance facility with expertise in make and model, arranging a test flight to verify aircraft and systems are functioning properly, specific guidance on the scope and detail of the pre-buy examination, review of the pre-buy and test flight findings, and coaching the buyer through final negotiations with the seller.

“Aircraft sellers are typically represented by brokers, and Savvy’s pre-buy program is designed to provide a similar level of professional advocacy for buyers” said Savvy’s founder and CEO,Mike Busch, an A&P/IA who was honored by the FAA as “National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year” in 2008.

“Most aircraft buyers understand it’s essential to conduct as much due-diligence as possible when making a major purchase,” he continued. “But they often run into problems like being unable to find a competent and unbiased shop, overpaying for the examination, and lacking a source of professional and objective advice throughout the process.”

Savvy’s protocols have been developed through managing hundreds of pre-buys throughout the US for its clients since 2008, he noted.

The program will also utilize the nationwide footprint and expertise of Savvy’s team of account managers, each of whom is an A&P/IA with 20-plus years of GA maintenance experience, he said.

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Comments

The $1000 fee is what is typically charged by an IA for a competent inspection, but the sponsor (in this program) takes half of the fee and leaves $500 for the inspector. The inspector still needs to do the AD review, yet the sponsor requires the seller to scan logs (that’s a huge job, considering that the fleet age is 40 – 50 years old) and send them in .

I have zero interest in offering my services to this program, so I wonder what kind of inspector they’ll get for $250 for a single, $500 for a twin, or $750 for a turboprop?

It’s ludicrous. All liability and little reward for the mechanic. I see lawsuits flying, and I don’t want to be involved.